title: Testosterone replacement therapy in men with hypogonadism and HIV/AIDS: results from the TRiUS registry.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although hypogonadism is common in men with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), testosterone levels after testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in this population have not been reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Testim Registry in the United States (TRiUS) was the first prospective, observational registry of men with hypogonadism who were prescribed TRT. The TRiUS cohorts with (n = 82) and without (n = 767) HIV/AIDS were followed during 12 months of treatment with Testim® (1% testosterone gel; Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.). Total testosterone (TT) and free testosterone levels, symptoms of depression, sexual function, body composition profiles, and prostate-specific antigen levels were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The HIV/AIDS and non-HIV/AIDS cohorts differed at baseline in age (48.3 vs 52.5 years), TT level (13.0 vs 9.6 nmol/L), duration of hypogonadism (27.1 vs 14.6 months), prior TRT (36.6% vs 22.6%), body mass index (26.5 vs 32.0 kg/m2), and antidepressant (29% vs 15%) and opioid (20% vs 10%) use (P ≤ 0.01 for all comparisons). During the 12 months, both cohorts experienced significant elevations in TT and free testosterone levels to within normal ranges. Sexual function and depression scores improved and antidepressant medication use decreased in both cohorts. Body composition profiles improved significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in men without HIV/AIDS and remained stable in men with HIV/AIDS during the 12 months of follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This 12-month, non-placebo-controlled, observational study of Testim® use in men with and without HIV/AIDS suggests that TRT may provide clinical benefits irrespective of the patient's HIV/AIDS status. This conclusion is supported by the higher testosterone levels, better sexual function, lower depression scores, and better body composition profiles found in both groups. However, given the loss of patients to follow-up, these results may reflect a bias toward drug responders.
authors.affiliation: Circle Care Center, Norwalk, CT 06850, USA. blickmd@aol.com
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Blick
authors.forename: Mohit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khera
authors.forename: Rajib K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Bhattacharya
authors.forename: Harvey
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kushner
authors.forename: Martin M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Miner
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000728:Androgens / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012042:Registries; D013739:Testosterone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D013739:Testosterone